Sylvia Kristel in pictures: Star of erotic 1974 French film "Emmanuelle"

She had been scratching a living as a clerk to supplement her earnings as a struggling young actress when she was cast in the title role of the original Emmanuelle. The film was promoted by a photograph of Sylvia Kristel seated topless in a wicker chair, toying suggestively with a string of pearls. “At last,” ran the caption, “a film that won’t make you feel bad about feeling good.”Picture: Rex Features